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Camel Lake Recreation Area provides a quiet place to relax and take in the beauty of the longleaf pine forest. Camping, swimming, hiking, and boating opportunities are all available, focused on the crystal-clear waters of Camel Lake.
Above the lake's rim, the focal points of this recreation area are the well-shaded ten-site campground, suitable for RVs or tents, and the day use recreation area with its picnic tables, picnic shelter, and sandy beach for swimming. A short loop trail surrounds the lake, with longer loops possible incorporating the nearby Florida National Scenic Trail.
Some of the campsites have electricity, and there is a bathhouse with flush toilets in the campsite and in the day-use area. A campground host is always available. The day-use parking lots, picnic areas, and restrooms are accessible. Hours of operation through the summer are 8 am to 8 pm (April 1st - Oct 31st) and through the winter are 8 am to 6 pm (Nov 1st - March 31st).
The Apalachicola is one of the most bio diverse places in the world, and Camel Lake places you in the middle of this natural treasure. You will be surrounded by tall longleaf pines and wiregrass, while seepage slopes in the forest create pitcher plant bogs. Rare pine savannahs are just to the south and the creeks and swamps around host a wide variety of animal life.
Nearby, several boat landings provide access to the numerous creeks that feed into the Apalachicola River. The Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway and the Big Bend Scenic Byway provide beautiful views of pine savannahs, and they make excellent routes for trips down to the coast, which is only about an hour south.
Refunds can not be made on site. Refunds must be processed by Recreation.gov
Take SR 20 west from Tallahassee through Hosford to Bristol. Turn south on SR 12. Continue south to the Apalachicola National Forest boundary sign and look for a sign for Camel Lake soon after you pass the work station and trailhead on the left. Turn left on Forest Road 105, which is an unpaved road. Drive 2 miles to the recreation area entrance on the right.
This is a beautiful small campground in the Apalachicola National Forest. Well maintained, large campsites with fire pits and grills. Sites without power hookups are perfect for tent camping and tend to be quieter.
We did have issues with loud, late night parties and hunting dogs off leash so would recommend visiting outside of hunting season and the dog training season before hunting season.
This is a national forest. No alcohol allowed, dogs on leash, no four wheelers, no motor boats.
Very well maintained campground with beautiful scenery. This is a pet friendly campground for leashed pets. We did a lot of walking and really liked the 1.25 mile trail around the lake. We also enjoyed fishing and caught a few bass which we released. They don't allow you to bring in your own firewood and have some for sale. The campsite water pressure was good. The campground showers and restrooms were always clean.
This campground is very secluded and peaceful. The only downside was the rough 2 mile dirt road going in. The hosts, Rick & Kay we're awesome! Our dog Lucy loved them!
Recently stayed at Camel Lake Campground in the Apalachicola National Forest near Bristol, FL in the panhandle. $10/night with the America the Beautiful Senior Lifetime Pass. Very small campground but plenty of space for small and medium sized rigs. I saw one smaller sized 5th wheel, otherwise, it was campervans, truck campers, Airstreams and travel trailers. We stayed at site 3 near the bathroom/shower house. The nicest sites were 1 & 2 IMO. Caution: the 2 mile long unpaved road from the highway is rough in several spots (looks like they have issues with washouts so they used larger rock in about 5 sections). Took us 15 minutes to go those 2 miles as we took it very slowly with our 28 ft travel trailer. Beautiful, secluded and quiet area. The campground host greeted us after arriving and said there was a hiking trail that went around the lake. Plenty of areas to walk our dogs but told to be wary of the waters edge as there are alligators in the lake and they like to burrow under dirt and leaves for warmth during the winter months. All in all, a nice spot for the night.
This place was awesome. Only 10 spots so not crowded. Greg and Kathy were so lovely - we felt like we were properly looked after with morning and evening check in
